Can I Still File an Asbestos Lawsuit if the Company No Longer Exists?
Depending on the circumstances, you may be able to file an asbestos lawsuit even if the company responsible for your exposure no longer exists. While this process is often more complex than suing a still-operating company, there are other, more accessible options. These include filing claims with asbestos trust funds or suing third-party companies that may share liability and are still in business.
Vanessa Firnhaber Oslund, Partner, Oslund Udo Little Last Updated: March 13, 2026
At Oslund Udo Little, our experienced mesothelioma lawyers can help determine your best available avenue for compensation and pursue the justice you deserve.
- Even if the company responsible for your asbestos exposure no longer exists, you may still have legal avenues for compensation.
- Bankrupt companies established asbestos trust funds to provide payments to victims of mesothelioma and other asbestos-related diseases.
- You may also be able to file claims against other responsible companies that contributed to your exposure.
- An experienced mesothelioma attorney can review your work and exposure history, identify all available claims, and guide you through the filing process.
- The experienced mesothelioma lawyers at Oslund Udo Little can help you explore all available compensation options.
What Are My Options if the Company Responsible No Longer Exists?
Even if the company responsible for your asbestos exposure is no longer in business, you may still be able to seek compensation through the following options:
- An asbestos trust fund claim: Many companies filed for bankruptcy amid mounting liability from asbestos-related claims. Courts ordered them to establish trust funds as part of their reorganizations or liquidations to compensate current and future victims. These trusts are still currently paying eligible mesothelioma claims.
- Lawsuits against other liable parties: Other manufacturers, suppliers, contractors, and property owners may share liability for asbestos exposure.
Our attorneys can guide you through each option, explain your rights, and help you pursue the compensation you and your family deserve. Read client reviews and testimonials from families and mesothelioma patients who have trusted us to fight for their compensation.
How Do I Access Asbestos Trust Funds?
To access an asbestos trust fund, you must file a claim with the trust set up by the bankrupt company responsible for your asbestos exposure. The process typically includes:
- Checking eligibility: You must have a diagnosed asbestos-related disease, such as mesothelioma or lung cancer.
- Investigation and gathering of supporting records: You must provide evidence that the bankrupt company was responsible for your asbestos exposure. Key documentation may include your work history, military service records, or proof of at-home exposure.
- Filing the claim: Your attorney will draft and submit the required paperwork, along with supporting records, to the trust. The trust administrators will then review your claim and determine the payment amount.
Because many people encountered asbestos from multiple sources, you may qualify to file claims with more than one trust. An experienced mesothelioma attorney can identify the appropriate trusts, prepare your documentation, and help you avoid unnecessary delays or denials.
Who Can Be Sued in an Asbestos Lawsuit?
Asbestos lawsuits target companies or entities that contributed to your asbestos exposure—even if they aren’t the only party responsible for your exposure. Potential defendants include any party whose products or services led to your illness, including the following:
- Manufacturers of asbestos-containing products
- Suppliers or distributors who delivered asbestos products to a site
- Property or building owners who fail to disclose asbestos to contractors, visitors, or tenants
Learn About Your Mesothelioma Compensation Options
Facing an asbestos-related disease is challenging enough, and learning that the company responsible for your exposure no longer exists can feel discouraging. But there are still paths to compensation, and we are here to help.
At Oslund Udo Little, we combine compassion with proven results. Our attorneys have a history of negotiating favorable settlements and verdicts in Oregon and Washington. We guide you through the claims process, review all your options, devise a strategy to maximize your compensation, and handle the legal details so you can focus on your recovery.
Contact us online today or call 206-957-9510 in Washington or 503-447-6230 in Oregon.
